Monday, August 31, 2015

Home is where we rest between adventures...


I love this.  I came up with it when I was pondering on why I struggling to keep on top of the housework and day to day requirements for our busy family.

Housework has never been a strong point of mine.  Even before kids.

I was trying to think of a way to motivate myself and really think about what home means to me.

Funnily enough, I am a homebody and love nothing better than to enjoy quiet days with nowhere else to go.  Home is where I nourish and nurture myself, replenish and rejuvenate.  Ready for the next fun adventure.

For it to achieve those things it's needs to be reasonably orderly.  When my house is messy and untidy I can't ever seem to find the energy or enthusiasm for big adventures.  It's like a weight of ovewhelm worn around my neck and it drags me down.  Not exactly how I would like to feel.  

So, if our home is to help us achieve those things, it needs to be comforting and relaxing.  Mess and clutter make that impossible.

Therefore, it's onwards and upwards from here and after being inspired by Organising the four of us 
I'm going to start by working on a list of three things each day to get done until they're a habit.  Then I can add in more or reassess how I'm going.

My first 3?

1. Exercise for 20 minutes
2. Clean the house for 30 minutes
3. Complete 2 loads of laundry (wash, dry, fold and put away)

I completely procrastinate on all 3 of these things often so they are what I want to cross off my list as early as I can in the day.  I want to make these a habit and build on them because before too long we will move into our new home which is nearly 3 times the size of our current home.  If I struggle to keep this tiny place clean, how will I manage a larger home? 

Wish me luck! 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

A beautiful winters day at Gooram Falls...


The sun was shining so we decided to head out for a quick trip to Gooram falls.  It is a beautiful little spot only about 13km up the Merton-Euroa Rd (from Merton).  I know I say it all the time but getting out with the kids is just good for the soul.  We were all relaxed, the kids loved exploring and I was taking photos and soaking in the time with my boys and the wonderful nature we were surrounded with. 

The photos tell the the story...























(My phone went flat taking this video)



Oh and after all of that exploring I came back and attempted a lemon delicious pudding...it worked so well and tasted so yum...only to me though.  None of the males in the house are really pudding fans.  Also could explain the extra winter padding I'm carrying around with me at the moment!  Haha.


It really was just one of those blissful days...

July bits and pieces...


July was cold and quiet.  I find winter to be a time to hibernate and take stock of where we're at and where we are heading.  So not much in the way of blog posting this month.  Here are a few highlights though...

Michael surprised me with a blueberry plant.  We've also now planted a pink lady apple, granny smith apple, cherry and apricot or plum (I can't remember!)...


These boys...they make my heart burst...


Came across this quote and thought it was great! 


Ethan had his friend Amy's birthday party at 10 pin bowling...


and we followed that up with a fun movie night at home watching "Home".  Such a funny movie.  The boys had a sleepover in the lounge room all together as well!


The next day I trekked down to Melbourne for my cousins 50th birthday party...it was so nice to catch up with a heap of family I haven't seen it ages! How's this for a cake?


Paid a visit to our new cows...


Dylan and Louis achieved their Level 1 Cycling badge at cub scouts...



Michael and his dad installed all of the insulation at the house...not a pleasant job.  Even though they they wore these very fashionable suits they still got covered in it...


All done...


Dylan also achieved his bronze boomerang.  He was so excited.  When he got home he burst into happy tears.  So proud of him...


Another great quote...

We all watched "That Sugar Film"...although it was probably too much information for the boys at the end of it they commented on understanding why I don't let them have soft drink and junk all the time now...I classify that as a win! Haha.


We cleared out our whole garage and filled a skip.  It was such a great feeling to get rid of it all and especially nice knowing we won't have to move all of that with us!


It was a beautiful day to get it done as well...I'll take any blue skies I can this winter!


I pulled the boys out of school for a day and we went to see "The Gruffalo's Child".  The boys really enjoyed it and sat through it no problems.  (Unlike the multitude of school groups that were also watching it!!). 




Bring on the weekend and we had my friend Jenn's 40th birthday party.  I had to stop on the way and take a photo of Mt  Buller because it looked so beautiful...


Jenn had a mad hatter theme for her party...our friend Chele did an amazing job on the cake...



Jenn and her sister...what great costumes!!


Such a fun night!


And last but not least the plaster arrived!  It's really starting to look like a house now (more photos to come)!